When people hear the name Sonia Sotomayor, they usually think of black robes, gavel-heavy decisions, and the intense, often grueling landscape of the U.S. Supreme Court. But if you've been paying attention lately, there’s a whole other side to her that has nothing to do with legal briefs or oral arguments. It’s about a little girl on a sugarcane farm and the radical idea that kindness is a superpower.
Honestly, her latest book, Just Shine! How to Be a Better You, feels less like a traditional children's story and more like a necessary therapy session for a world that’s become a bit too cynical. Released in September 2025, the book serves as a vibrant tribute to her late mother, Celina Báez, who passed away in 2021. But Just Shine Sonia Sotomayor isn't just a tribute; it's a blueprint for human connection.
The Heart of the Story: Celina’s Legacy
The book introduces us to a young girl in Puerto Rico who has a gift. It isn't magic—at least, not in the fairy-tale sense. Her "power" is simply the ability to make everyone around her feel seen.
Justice Sotomayor has been very open about why she wrote this. She called the writing process "her therapy." After losing her mother, she realized that our first teachers are almost always our parents. Celina Báez wasn't a world leader or a judge. She was a nurse from the Bronx who grew up on that sugarcane farm. Yet, she had this uncanny ability to spot the "inner glow" in people who felt invisible.
Sotomayor basically took those childhood lessons and distilled them into forty pages of marker-and-gouache artwork. Jacqueline Alcántara, the illustrator, uses these dreamy, ornate visuals to show that "shining" isn't about being the center of attention. It’s about the ripple effect of a small gesture—like sharing a blanket or just actually listening when someone talks.
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Why This Book Hits Differently Than "Just Ask!"
If you're a parent or a teacher, you probably already have Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You on your shelf. That book was a massive hit because it tackled disabilities and differences with such directness. It came from Sotomayor’s own experience with childhood diabetes.
Just Shine is the spiritual successor, but it shifts the focus. While Just Ask! was about understanding others, Just Shine! is about how we interact with the world to make it better. It’s about "ordinary means" creating an "extraordinary community."
Think about it.
We live in an era where everyone is trying to "optimize" themselves.
Sotomayor is arguing for the opposite.
She’s saying: stop looking inward and start looking at how you can help the person next to you find their own brilliance.
A Quick Look at Sotomayor’s Literary Journey
- My Beloved World (2013): The heavy-hitting memoir for adults.
- Turning Pages (2018): Her life story, adapted for the younger crowd.
- Just Ask! (2019): A focus on disabilities and celebrating what makes us unique.
- Just Help! (2022): A call to action for kids to ask, "Who did I help today?"
- Just Shine! (2025): The culmination—how to bring out the best in others.
The Puerto Rican Roots
There’s a specific warmth in the way Sotomayor describes her mother’s upbringing. The sugarcane farm isn't just a backdrop; it represents a foundation of hard work and community. Even when Celina moved to the United States and faced the hardships of being a young widow in the Bronx, she kept that "glow."
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During her book tour in late 2025, Sotomayor shared a story in Philadelphia about her mother’s final years. Even when Celina could barely walk, if a friend started a song, she’d stand up and move her hips. That "eternal optimism" is what the Justice wants to pass on. She’s mentioned that she never dreamed of being a judge as a kid because she didn't even know what one was. But she knew what a good person looked like because of her mom.
Is It Really Just for Kids?
Technically, the age range is 4 to 8. It’s a picture book. But let’s be real.
Most adults I know struggle with the very things this book teaches. We forget to listen. We get competitive instead of collaborative. We stop noticing the "inner glow" of our coworkers or neighbors because we're too busy staring at a screen.
The book emphasizes that being "the best version of yourself" isn't about your resume. It’s about how you treat the chatty neighbor or how you use your specific skills to fill a gap in your community. It’s kinda deep for a 40-page book, but that’s the Sotomayor brand. She doesn't talk down to children. She invites them into the complexity of being a good human.
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Actionable Takeaways from Just Shine
You don't need to be a Supreme Court Justice to implement the "Just Shine" philosophy. In fact, it’s probably easier if you aren't.
- Audit your daily interactions. Next time you're talking to someone, ask yourself: "Am I trying to impress them, or am I trying to understand them?"
- The "Blanket" Rule. In the book, Celina shares a blanket. Look for the physical or emotional "cold spots" in your circle. Who is struggling? Who needs a small comfort?
- Acknowledge the invisible. Make it a point to highlight someone else's contribution today. It’s amazing how much people light up when their "brilliance" is acknowledged by someone else.
Honestly, the world feels pretty heavy right now. Reading about a Justice who spends her "off time" writing about how her mom made people dance in the Bronx is the kind of palette cleanser we all need. Whether you're buying it for a niece or just keeping a copy on your own coffee table, the message stays the same: you shine brightest when you're busy lighting someone else's candle.
To start living this out, try a simple "glow check" tomorrow. Identify one person in your life who seems a bit dimmed by stress or routine, and find one specific, genuine thing they do well. Tell them. It's the most "Sotomayor" thing you can do.
Next Steps for Readers:
Check your local library or independent bookstore for Just Shine! How to Be a Better You to see Jacqueline Alcántara’s artwork in full detail. If you are an educator, consider using the book as a prompt for students to share stories about who in their lives makes them feel like they can shine.